French Open: ‘King of Clay’ Rafael Nadal maintains supremacy over Roger Federer at Roland Garros, beats long-time rival in straight sets

Rafael Nal me quick work of Roger Federer in ir first French Open meeting since 2011, beating his rival 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 Friday in strong wind to reach his 12th final at Roland Garros.

Nal has never lost a semifinal at clay-court Grand Slam tournament. Never lost a final, eir.

And he's never lost to Federer in Paris, improving to 6-0. Overall, Nal les ir series 24-15. Federer h won ir past five meetings, but those were all on hard courts.

It's a whole different task to take on Nal on clay, in general, and at French Open, in particular, where he is one victory away from a 12th championship, which would be more than any man or woman has won at any of Grand Slam tournaments.

In Sunday's final, . 2-seeded Nal will take on eir . 1 vak Djokovic or . 4 Dominic Thiem.

This was first time since 2011, four top-seeded men were in semifinals at Roland Garros.

Like so many times before, it was Nal's topspin-heavy lefty forehand, his relentless ball-chasing and his return game that gave Federer fits.

Frustrated guy so much that generally stoic Federer smacked a tennis ball toward stands after getting broken to trail 2-1 in third set. It would soon be over.

Federer, who was playing at Roland Garros for first time since 2015, hn't lost a set through five victories over past two weeks. With an aggressive, he-to--net style, he h been broken a total of only four times by those opponents.

Nal easily exceeded that in a span of three sets across less than 2½ hours, winning 6 of 13 return games.

37-year-old Federer, whose 20 Grand Slam titles are a record for a man, was serened off court by spectators' chants of his first name. He raised his right arm for a quick wave as he walked away — perhaps for final time. He missed tournament in 2016 with a b back, n skipped it next two years to prepare for grass and hard courts.
He looked quite good in his return, until running into his old nemesis.